Fat Bear Week, one of wildlife conservation’s most beloved traditions, marks its 10th anniversary from October 2-8, 2024.
The event, hosted by Katmai National Park in partnership with the Katmai Conservancy and Explore.org, celebrates the remarkable transformation of brown bears at Brooks River, Alaska, as they prepare for winter hibernation by fattening up on salmon.
The weeklong competition is a public, single-elimination tournament where fans vote online for the bear demonstrating the most impressive weight gain.
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The 2024 contest features a variety of contestants, including last year’s champion, Grazer, now raising her first cub. If Grazer wins again, she would make history as the first mother bear to retain the title. Voting culminates in the crowning of the 2024 Fat Bear Week champion on October 8.
Since its start in 2014, Fat Bear Week has grown from a small event with 1,700 votes to a global phenomenon with nearly 1.4 million votes cast in 2023 from over 100 countries.
Live streaming from Explore.org’s webcams allows viewers worldwide to watch the bears feast at Brooks River, while donations through the Katmai Conservancy’s Otis Fund, supported by matching contributions from Explore.org, help preserve the park’s natural beauty.
“Fat Bear Week is an election in which every candidate is fit for office,” said Explore.org founder Charlie Annenberg. The event not only highlights the bears’ survival efforts but also raises awareness about wildlife conservation.
Fans can also enjoy live events hosted by park rangers and experts throughout the week, making it a celebration of both bears and conservation.
Source: Fat Bear Week Celebrates 10th Anniversary: A Decade of Grizzly Giants
